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Please avoid at all costs to avoid disappointment

Story from nhs.uk

"Please avoid at all costs to avoid disappointment"

About: Springfield Hospital

My stepson wanted to have his ears pinned back so we called the hospital to enquire and make an appointment with the hospital. The initial call and every other call subsequently made had at least a five minute wait after going through the options . We made an appointment to see the specialist and went a week later, after explaining what we wanted he quickly advised to his credit that he wasn't the man for the job.

What a waste of time ,we went to reception and put forward our frustrations and made another appointment with a consultant that could do the procedure. Being very busy and working to a tight schedule to avoid emotional impact of the surgery for a youngster we wanted this at a particular time so that he could recuperate and have bandages over the Christmas period. We explained this to the surgeons secretary who duly booked a date in advance .

After seeing the surgeon who explained the procedure we was told that the hospital would contact us in the week leading uptown surgery. After no contact 4 days before surgery was due we started calling them and was told that it can't take place as they can't provide a paediatric nurse on that day. The surgeons secretary said that the operation could be done at Rivers on the next day, great but we have an engagement that has cost many thousands far in excess of the cost of the procedure. She went on to say that this is not the first time that this type of thing as happened and this other hospital as got them out of a spot on several occasions. As you can imagine a very unhappy experience with this hospital , I have to say that if I ran my business like this I would off gone under years ago.

Anyway 4 days to go , and can't find a nurse and already given in. I am sure that you could get an agency nurse with 4 days notice. From my experience I would recommend trying other hospitals .

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Responses

Response from Springfield Hospital 5 years ago
Springfield Hospital

Submitted on 21/12/2018 at 09:49
Published on nhs.uk at 10:06

We are sorry that you and your stepson feel you have had an unsatisfactory experience in the Springfield Hospital. Our primary concerns are to meet the needs of every patient.

On receipt of a booking request from a surgeon, a number of checks are undertaken to ensure that all the necessary arrangements are in place to proceed. In respect of services for children and young people there are very specific requirements, including a designated paediatric nurse to care for the patient post operatively and this type of procedure would require additional attention over the Christmas period for follow up care and dressings etc.

Unfortunately, on this occasion, the hospital was unable to staff our paediatric ward due to sickness on the day requested. We are very sorry for the late notice of cancellation. The decision was taken in the best interest of the patient and it would have been remiss of the Hospital to proceed when all the necessary support was not in place.

However, we did make every effort to have the procedure completed the next day with our sister hospital and felt that this was reasonable under the circumstances and pleased that the Surgeon was able to accommodate this arrangement

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